Michigan jail employee charged with embezzling $75,000

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — Authorities have charged a 17-year employee of a southwestern Michigan county jail with embezzling roughly $75,000.

The Berrien County Prosecutor's Office said 66-year-old JoAnn Roberts was arraigned Tuesday on a felony embezzlement charge. Prosecutors allege the ex-jail population manager for the sheriff's office removed cash from envelopes and deposited it in a personal account.

The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from defense attorney Jack Banyon.

Prosecutors say the money was collected from defendants for using tether equipment while on bond or as part of a sentence. They say Roberts later replaced some cash but over time was unable to continue.